Former SA Sports Medicine Association executive officer Daniel Clark spent about $200k stolen from not-for-profit at strip clubs, massage parlours

The former boss of a major SA not-for-profit spent hundreds of thousands of dollars he stole from the organisation at strip clubs massage parlours and on other adult entertainment.

The former boss of a major South Australian not-for-profit spent hundreds of thousands of dollars he stole from the organisation at strip clubs, massage parlours and other adult entertainment while he was in charge, it can be revealed.

Between December 2015 and December 2020, Daniel Luke Clark stole $216,380 from the South Australian Sports Medicine Association while employed as its executive officer.

The Advertiser understands Clark, 41, who pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dishonestly deal with property without owner’s consent and one count of dishonest dealings with documents in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, spent about $200,000 of the stolen money at strip clubs and massage parlours over the five-year period.

He was asked to step down as executive officer after SASMA learned he had spent thousands of dollars of the organisation’s money at similar venues during a trip to the UK.

Daniel Luke Clark pleaded guilty in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court to stealing more than $200,000 from the South Australian Sports Medicine Association over five years while he was the organisation's executive officer. Picture: Supplied

It is understood Clark agreed to repay the money spent on that trip but did not disclose the total amount he had stolen over his five years in charge when he left the organisation.

SASMA only became aware of the extent of Clark’s theft during a standard review of the organisation’s expenses in 2022, at which point detectives were notified.

On July 6, Western District CIB detectives extradited Clark from Western Australia to face the charges.

In a statement to The Advertiser, a police spokeswoman said Clark was extradited to “face charges of theft and fraud offences, after the man allegedly stole money from his employer”.

He was initially charged with more than 250 separate counts, which were later condensed to 11.

Western Australia Police would not comment on whether or not Clark is being investigated in WA.

Clark worked at SASMA for more than a decade and was its executive officer from January 2016 to March 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Since April 2021, he has been the sport and recreation team leader at the Bunbury City Council in Western Australia.

Bunbury City Council was contacted for comment.

SASMA is SA’s leading sports medicine education organisation, with more than 2500 members.

The organisation is responsible for local sporting club trainers’ accreditation across the state.

On his LinkedIn profile, Clark describes himself as an “experienced manager with a demonstrated history of working in the medical, allied health and sports industries” and a “strong NGO and non-profit organisation professional”.

Clark will be sentenced in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 9. Picture: Supplied

He also describes himself as “skilled in strategic planning, developing new markets, organisation and staff management, grant applications, sponsorship sales, business development and training”.

According to his LinkedIn, Clark has also worked as a strength and conditioning coach at the West Adelaide Basketball Club, the general manager of sport at Charles Darwin University, and a physical education teacher at Marrara Christian College.

“The effect of this crime has been significant,” SASMA chief executive Danielle Grant-Cross said in a statement.

“Whilst is has been a difficult period and terribly disappointing, we thank our members and partners for their ongoing support.

“Not any one individual is bigger than the organisation and SASMA continues to be vital and focused on delivering important education to sports trainers, its members’ education and community.”

Clark and his lawyer John Edwards declined to comment when approached by The Advertiser.

Clark will be sentenced in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in October.

Originally published as Former SA Sports Medicine Association executive officer Daniel Clark spent about $200k stolen from not-for-profit at strip clubs, massage parlours